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{No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

. H. E. MOOMAW. FLEXIBLE EXTENSION TABLE.

No. 586,196. Patented July 13, 1897.

(N0 Mode'l.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. E. MOOMAW. FLEXIBLE EXTENSION TABLE.

No. 586,196. Patented July 13, 1897.

* r "gigli 1 Nrrn HENRY E. MOOMAIV, OF SALEM, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONEeFOURTl-I TO J. I-I. BOYD, OF SAME PLAGE.

FLEXIBLE EXTENSIN-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,196, dated July 13, 1897. Application lecl February Z6, 1897. Serial. NO- G25Jl`58| (N0 modell) To a/ZZ whowa it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. MOOMAW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Salem, in the county of Roanoke and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flexible Extension-Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention is an improved extension-table having for its object certain improvements in the construction whereby the simplicity and efficiency of this class of tables will be increased; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a table constructed in accordance with my invention and extended. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View thereof. Fig. 4 is an end elevation with the extensionslats removed. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the end brackets. Fig. G is a vertical section of the leg. view of the extension-slats, and Fig. S is a detail View showing the movement of the lockingdog to secure the table in its extended position.

The central slides A are secured rigidly to the ends ci' a plate Bon the upper end of the central leg O, and the central portion of the table-top D is formed of one or more boards secured rigidly to the upper edges of the central slides. The end slides E are fitted to the central slide and move thereon in the usual manner. These slides E are secured to the end brackets or braces F, and said braces are secured to the side rails Z of the table, in which the corner-legs G are secured. These brackets thus serve the double purpose of bracing and strengthening the end of"the table and holding the end slides in their proper positions. The end rails of the table-frame are provided with the central depending lugs II, which serve as handles or a convenient means of grasping the rails when extending the table, and to accommodate the fingers of the operator the transverse braces are provided with the recesses or notches I, as shown Fig. 7 is a detail most clearly in Fig. 8. Secured to the outer sides of the end table-rails are central brackets J, which serve to support and guide the extension-slats when in motion and in their extended positions. Journal-brackets K are secured to the upper part of the table-leg and spring-rollers L are j ournaled in and between the same. These brackets K are L-shaped plates having longitudinal slots M in their inner sides or arms through which the securing-screws are inserted into the legs of the table and which permit the brackets to be accurately adjusted to the width of the tabletop. On the inner faces of the outwardlyprojecting branches of these brackets Iform the guide flange or rib N, on which the extension-slats move and by Which they are supported in the operation of the device, the edge of the brackets serving as guides to pre` vent endwise movement of the slats when the table is being extended or closed.

In theupper edge of the bracket and near the outer corner of the same is a notch O, and on the outer side of the bracket is pivoted a pawl or latch P, adapted to enter the said notch and engage behind the extensionslats as the table is elongated to prevent retrograde movement and lock the table in its enlarged or adjusted position. The extensionslats Q are flexibly connected by being secured successively and in juxtaposition upon a canvas or other cloth belt by being hinged together or by means of a flexible wire inserted through transverse openings formed through the slats. I prefer the last-mentioned method and have illustrated the same in Fig. 7.

The legs are detachable and are secured in place, as shown in Fig. 6. The leg is made in two members, which have their meeting ends formed into beads, so as to conceal the joint and preserve the neat and finished appearance of the device. The upper member is formed as an integral part of the rail or end bracket of the table, as shown at R, and is provided with a socket S in its lower end. Above the said socket a nut or threaded block T is set into the upper member, the opening in said nut or block registering with an opening U, rising centrally from the socket S.

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The lower member or leg V is provided at its upper end with a tenon W, adapted to t and enter the socket S, and a long screw X is secured in the lower member and is adapted to enter the upper member and engage the nut or block therein to lock the two members lirmly together. At the top of the tenen the screw is provided with an angular portion Y in order that a wrench may be used to facilitate the insertion of the screw into the lower member.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the operation and advantages ofthe table will be readily understood. lVhen it is desired to extend the table, the end rails are grasped and a pull exerted thereon. The tension of the spring-rollers will thus be overcome and the slatted portions caused to unroll. As the slats appear above the edge of the table they will strike the ends of' the pawls and the inclined surface or edge of the slat will cause the said pawl automatically to rise and permit the slat to pass. After the slat passes the pawl its edge will fit squarely against the pawl, and consequently it will be unable to pass until the pawl is manually released. Retrograde movement of the slats is thereby prevented. To reduce the table to its smaller dimensions, it is necessary only to release the pawls,when a slight push against the end of the table will cause the springrollers to Wind and roll the slats. Then the table is not extended, the slats are out of the way and yet can be instantly brought into use when desired. At the same time they form a neat finish for the ends of the table. The legs are strongly built and the whole table is irm and steady.

It will be readily understood that the brackets K are made in rights7 and lefts and that the ribs N are formed on the inner side near the upper edge of each bracket. If de sired, however, the ribs N may be formed on the upper and lower edges of the brackets, and in that form either bracket might be used on either side of the table, as is manifest.

It will be observed that the ribs N and the w central support-s J are in the same horizontal plane with each other and have their ends bent alike, so that they all serve as supports and keep the slats firmly in line with each other; and it will further be seen that the end slats rest firmly against the bent portions of the supports and ribs and are thereby held steady.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an extension-table,the combination of the stationary top, the end rails and end legs, journal-brackets secured to the ends of the table, inwardly-exten ding ribs formed on said brackets near the upper edge of the outwardly extending arms of said brackets, the ends of said ribs turning downwardly, spring-rollers journaled in the brackets below the ribs, and

a flexible apron or a series of extension-slats connected to the top and to the spring-rollers and running on the guide-ribs, substantially as described.

2. ln an extension-table the combination of the stationary top, the end rails and end legs, journal-brackets secured to the ends of the table, spring-rollers mounted in said brackets, inwardly-extending ribs formed on said brackets above the rollers the outer ends of said ribs extending beyond the rollers, said ends being turned downwardly, whereby the slats, when partially folded, will turn down and l'orm square ends to the table, a flexible apron formed of slats connected to the top and to the spring-rollers and running on the guide-ribs, and a latch to lock the flexible apron in its extended position, substantially as described.

3. In an extension-table the combination of the stationary top, the end rails and end legs, journal-brackets secured to the ends of the table, spring-rollers mounted in said brackets, inwardly-extending ribs formed on said brackets, the outer ends of said ribs extend ing beyond the spring-rollers, a latch carried on the journaled brackets adjacent the outer ends of the ribs and adapted to engage the last slat on the ribs and lock the table in its extended position, the next adjacent slat on the outer side bearing against the ends of the ribs and forming a square end to the table, substantially as described.

et. In an extension-table the combination of the stationary top, extension-slats at the end of the same, journaled brackets secured to the movable ends of the table, ribs formed on said brackets, a latch carried by one of said brackets at the outer end of the rib thereof, said latch engaging the outer edge of' slat at the outer end of the rib N, the next adjacent slat extending substantially vertical below the latch and resting against the.ends of the ribs, said vertical slat automatically raising the latch when the table is extended, substantially as described.

5. lnan extension-table the combination of the stationary central portion, movable end portions, flexibly-connected slats secured to the central portion, means for folding said slats at the ends of the table, brackets secured to the movable ends, inwardly-extending ribs on said brackets said ribs supporting the slats, and means for adjusting the brackets laterally to receive the slats between them, substantially as described.

6. In an extension-table, the combination of a stationary part and a slidable end part, supports for both of said parts, a pair of brackets secured to the movable end part at either side of the table, a roller journaled in said brackets, a series of supports projecting from the end part of the table out over the roller, a flexible slatted apron connected at one end to the stationary part and at its other end to the roller and resting on said supports,

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`and an automatic latch device carried by one of the brackets and adapted to engage the outer edge of the outermost Slat resting on said support, its and for the purposes set forth.

7. In an extension-table the combination of the brackets K,the foldable slats moving between the same, and paWIs pivoted on said brackets and passing through notches in the upper edges of the same and engaging the slats, substantially as described. Io

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature n presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY E. MOOMAW'. Vitnesses:

L. F. DILLARD, J. I-I. RHODES. 

